ATTACK INCREASES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22510, 13 December 1947, Page 6

ATTACK INCREASES

RABBIT NUISANCE SECOND POISONING GANG The attack on rabbits in the area controlled by the East Coast Rabbit Board is to be increased during the next three months, while favourable conditions prevail, by the organisation of a second poisoning gang. This was decided at a meeting of the board held at Gisborne yesterday. Members present at the meeting were Messrs. E. M. Monckton, chairman, G. M. Reynolds, M. L. Holden, H. C. Nolan, A. L. McKinnon, E. P. Smythe, department of Agriculture, and F. R. Bould, chief inspector. The inspectors report for the past month stated that 734 rabbits were poisoned in the area last month, while 776 were killed. Those poisoned were all in the southern Wairoa area where there were also 512 kills. In the northern Wairoa district there were 248 kills and in the Whakatane district 16. The position generally in regard to the destruction of the pest is good, stated the report of the chief inspector. The work being done by the ruboiters at present is giving the best of results. Many Properties Rabbits were killed on a large ber of properties in the northern Wairoa area last month, stated the report of the sub-inspector for that area, Mr. H Drysdale. He had inspected the A.rdkeen block and found it in good order as was Brownlies and Riverina A rabbiter has started work on the back portion of Mangaruke, where many signs were seen of rabbits. Traces of the pest were found on Waikoko station, Waerenga-o-kuri, and a rabbiter is also being-moved to this area. Rabbits were also reported on the Te Uhi hill, but on inspection, no signs could be found. . Reporting on the southern Wairoa area the sub-inspector, Mr. H. F. Bennison stated that the Mohaka country is cleaning up fairly well, as is also the Waihua country. At present the coast country, ivxaungatanawha, and the cemetery reserve are also in good order. The position generally is better than it was 12 months ago. . During the month 16 rabbits were caught by the sub-inspector at Whakatane, Mr. D. W. Dodds. In the first week of the last month he jam pois ; oned Ngahuinga, Mungakaretu and Tangaere, these areas being thoroughly covered. _____________